Atlantic 10 and Big 12 Are Two Very Different Conferences

Nine one-time Division I multi-sport athletic conferences are no more. The Big 12 Conference could very well be on its way to the same fate, at least as far as men’s basketball is concerned.

This post isn’t to report another colossal conference realignment, or to fuel the fire of any existing rumors. It’s to talk about two different conferences; one on the rise and the other loses members by the year.

The conference in good standing is the Atlantic 10, which has six schools more than the Big 12.

The Big 12 even has 214 tournament bids to the A-10’s 187. However, the Big 12 has also lost out on four basketball programs with a combined 54 all-time bids due to schools moving to different conferences.

While the Texas A&M Aggies had a legitimate gripe in leaving the conference, fearing the Texas Longhorns would have an unfair advantage in recruiting and revenue with the Longhorn Network. With so many other schools realigning with the hopes of finding greener pastures, the Big 12 looks mighty weak.

The fact that at least seven other conferences have more members doesn’t help the Big 12, either.

The A-10 has 16 members and three of the four schools that made last season’s NCAA Tournament advanced to at least the Sweet 16.